Attractions on the island of Hvar

The fortress (or a citadel) in Hvar town, perched on a hill
above the old town was built at the beginning of the 16th century (in the time
of Venice). In 1579 it was restored after explosion of powder-chamber. Its
final appearance came after many reconstructions. During French rule some
additional reinforcement building was done. The barracks and observation post
were built during Austrian rule. It hosts a prominent collection of amphorae
and other objects from the ancient times and the Middle Ages. From the
fortress toward the town square lead the city walls, built in the Middle
Ages. This fortress dominates over the city. There is a beautiful panorama view of the town of Hvar and Pakleni Islands from the fortress.

The Cathedral of St. Stephan in Hvar town (left) stands on the
eastern side of the main square. It was built on the site of an early 6th
century church. Present appearance the Cathedral received in the 16th and 17th
century.The arsenal in Hvar town (right) was built in the
13th century. The theatre was built on the first floor of the arsenal
in 1612. It is one of the oldest in Europe and the first municipal one as
well.

The Franciscan monastery in Hvar town (left) was built in 15th century as
a retreat for sailors. Within the monastery there are the artifacts exhibited
in the monastery collection which is also the oldest on the island. It consists
of paintings, manuscripts, old coins and incunabula.Hvar town loggia and a clock tower (right) from the 15th
century together are the only remains of the former Governor's Palace.

The Hektorović Palace in Hvar town (left) is one of the finest late
Gothic houses. The building of the Palace started in 1463 and was never
completed.Tvrdalj of Petar
Hektorović in Stari Grad (right) is the fortified mansion of Petar Hektorovic, the poet (1487-1572), the author of the first realistic epic
poem of Croatian Renaissance literature "Fishing and conversations about
fishing"

Remains of ancient town Pharos in Stari Grad (left) - Stari Grad, the
oldest town on the island and one
of the first in Europe, was founded by the ancient Greeks in 385/384 BC as an
independent polis of Pharos.The church of St. Stephan in Stari Grad (right) was built in the
17th and 18th century.

The church of St. Anthony in Sućuraj (left) was built
in 1663. During Venetian rule Sućuraj was at the point where three borders
met; the Venetian, the Turkish and the state of Dubrovnik. Many of refuges
came to Sucuraj from the coast in the 15th century, fleeing from the Turks.
Refuges become inhabitants of Sućuraj and built this church. It has a
distaff-styled baroque bell tower. The church has an archaeological
collection of Sućuraj.The lighthouse in Sućuraj (right) on the east cape of the island of Hvar was built in 1889. Close to this lighthouse there was the oldest one (from
the beginning of 19th century), destroyed in the Second World War.

The fortress (or fortica) in Sućuraj (left) - During the Venetian-Turk
wars Sućuraj was robbed and burnt three times. Cause of that fortress was
built in 1613. It was damaged in the WW2. Photo of it before damaged can be
viewed here.The Franciscan (old Augustan)
monastery in Sućuraj
(right). Its original construction date is not known, but it was first
rebuilt in 1309 and most recently in 1994.

Church – fortress in Vrboska (left) was built
in 1575, when old church of St. Mary was fortified. It is one of the most
prominent sights on the island of Hvar and a rarity in Dalmatia, situated on
a slight rise in the centre of the town.Bridges in Vrboska (right) - Vrboska is situated on the
sides of a long and shallow inlet of the sea, which are connected by little
bridges joining the two banks, thus giving the place a special charm.

The Church of St. John in Jelsa (left) with the square
that surrounds it, and the parish church, is one of the most harmonious and
oldest parts of Jelsa. The church was built in the 15th century.Grapčeva cave in Humac, near Jelsa (right) was the
cultish place of a Neolithic Islander (5000 - 4000 years BC). The cave
consists of a small hall and a larger one surrounded by hallways and
chambers.